Russia halted oil flows along the Druzhba pipeline to Eastern Europe and Germany in April because of contaminated crude, contributing to a rise in global oil prices and leaving refiners in Europe scrambling to find supplies. Oil at the port of Ust-Luga was also contaminated. For a map of the Russian oil pipeline, click on: tmsnrt.rs/2DytnnM Below are details of the problem and action being taken. WHAT HAPPENED? At least 5 million tonnes of oil, or about 36.7 million barrels, have been contaminated by organic chloride, a chemical compound used to boost oil extraction by cleaning wells and accelerating the flow of crude. The compound must be removed before oil is sent to customers because it can destroy refining equipment and, at […]